Wyckoff November 28, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Township expresses appreciation to Sandy responders by John Koster The Wyckoff Township Committee offered warm thanks to two local churches and to State Senator Kevin O’Toole for generous help during and after Hurricane Sandy – but also asked the Board of Public Utilities for an investigation of both of Wyckoff’s power companies. Wyckoff officials contacted Pastor Jeff Boucher of Powerhouse Christian Church even before Hurricane Sandy arrived. “Powerhouse Christian Church and their pastor, Jeff Boucher, reached out to those in need with compassion and service, providing a warm place to spend the day and offering meals and hot coffee to the residents of Wyckoff,” the township committee noted in a proclamation on Nov. 19. The Christian Health Care Center came into the loop of shelter and help two days later as an emergency center from Wednesday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 9. Chief Executive Officer Douglas Struyk was honored with a second resolution at the Nov. 19 meeting. “The Christian Health Care Center provided a warm environment, sleeping arrangements and meals, making our residents feel safe and comfortable in their time of need,” the proclamation said. “The board of directors and the staff of the Christian Health Care Center, guided by their faith in God and following the precepts of the Christian faith, have provided excellent care for our community for 10 days in its time of need...This represents the best that humanity has to offer.” State Senator Kevin O’Toole, who appeared in person at the meeting, was also honored, along with Assemblyman David Russo and Assemblyman Scott Rumnana, for an extraordinary level of service to Wyckoff. “Specifically due to Senator O’Toole’s intervention, the township was able to avoid a fuel crisis for our emergency vehicles by providing the township with a supplier who delivered gasoline to the township when we needed re-supply,” the proclamation said. The proclamation also noted that Senator O’Toole and Assemblyman Rumana joined Wyckoff Mayor Christopher DePhillips in a meeting with Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan and the president of Public Service Electric & Gas during which Wyckoff officials urged that adequate crews be provided to restore power. Assemblyman Russo joined O’Toole, Rumana, and DePhillips in pressing Rockland Electric to restore power as quickly as possible. The concluding resolution noted that, despite the officials’ efforts, it took 10 days to get power restored to every household in Wyckoff, and that Wyckoff officials found this response by both companies disorganized and needlessly slow. Wyckoff officials formally urged the BPU to investigate the failure of both power companies to respond and restore power in a reasonable amount of time, the alleged failure of both companies to adequately staff the storm restoration efforts, and their inability to provide accurate and reliable information regarding when sections of the community would have power restored. The township committee noted that, at the height of the emergency, 98 percent of Wyckoff was without electrical power. Wyckoff’s own emergency responders have received great praise from most members of the community. Never forgotten Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff honored its residents and staff who were veterans at a special Veterans Day Remembrance. Pictured is guest speaker Petty Officer Jim Cava, United States Navy Retired, of North Haledon, shaking John Azzariti’s hand. Mr. Azzariti was a patient in The David F. Bolger Post-acute Care Unit and a resident of Wyckoff. Looking on, from left, are Teela Ferriola, Therapeutic Activities Assistant Director, and Dorrett Hibbert, Activity Coordinator. (Photo courtesy of Meghan Vis.)